PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 26

PERSONAL ITEMS.

1&x Henry S Reunert, who was a. wellknown figure in Balclutha 20 years ago, being county oleTk. and a noted singer, died in Chiistohuren last month. Mr Wili Feia, managing director of Hallen•tein Bros. (Ltd.), returned to Dunedin on the 18th by the Wimmera after a holiday visit to the Home Country, extending over two years. Mr Fela was accompanied during his tour by his wife and family. Father Lepetre, for 23 years a priest at ,Wfc4roa, h*i been presented with an address and ft purse of sovereigns on the eve of his leaving for his native country. A Napier telegTam states that Mr J. Vigor Brown h*s beem Te-elected chairman of the Kapler Harbour Board. Lim Koy, an aged Chinese tea merchant, of Invercargill, dropped dead in Gore on th« 18th inst. (says fe. Press Association t-elegram). He had been on a visit to his oounbrytnen at Gore, and was on his way to catch the express to return home when he expired without warning, death being due to heart disease. He was about 78 years of age. Mr Hunter Mto&ndrew. who has been in chaige of the maintenance branch of the Canterbury section of the New Zealand railways for the past eight years and a-half. was on the 15th presented by the staff with a •olid silver tea and coffee service on the eve of his removal to Dunedin, where he is to *ct as district railway engineer in siiccession to Mr F. W. Mac Lean. On Friday, 14th inst., some of the Session and Committee of the North Taieri Presbyterian Church met at Mr Williamson Curne's residence on the eve of his departure for Maheno to present him with some token of goodwill Mr Currie has for the long period of 38 years taken his share in matters relating to church and school, having been the senior elder of the church. Needless to say, the pla.ee wili be hard to fill. Mr Ciurie, sen , was presented with a, handsome Bible, case of brushes, and a ea.<»e of pipes, and Mr Currie. jun., tvith a case of pipes. Both gentlemen suitably replied, and extended a hearty invitation to any present to give them a call. A pleasant hour o-r two Y.-na spent, refreshments being handed round. The Dunatan Times records the death of Mr John Crawford at WaikenkeTi Valley on the 13th inst. He has resided at vVaikerikeri Valley for close on 40 years, carrying en mining and farming. The deceased was a noted athlete in his early days, and competed with no small amount of success at sports gatherings during the early days of the goldfields. He was married about 30 years ago to a- daughter of Mr D M'Connochie, of Clyde, and leaves a. family of two eons and six daughters. Many early settlers in all parts of Otago will learn with deep regret (says the Clutha trader) of the death on the 14th inst. of Mrs llobert Christie, of Puerua. Ths deceased lady, in spite of advancing years, usually enjoyed very good health, and was able to ■be at the early settlers' picnic at Balclutha A week before her death. Her husband left homo on Friday morning for Balclutha. his ■wife being then pretty much in her usual state. He received a, telephone message to come home at once, and bring the doctor with turn. She died, liouevei in a)x>ut half an j •hour after Mr Christie and the doctor ar- j rived, about half-past 4 o'clock, at the age of 71 years A colom«t ot GO \ears had gone 4o bar lona home. The late Mis Cl.natm

belonged to the well-known family of Laws, at East Taieri, who came fiom Midlothian, Scotl«id, and arrived in Otago per the Blu^u»ll. in the yea.r 1848. They first settled tt Andeaeon's Bay, but afteiwaids purchased land «.t East Taieri, to which -they removed in 1853. Mr Christie, who is a native of Perthshire, came to New Zealand in the ship Rajah, in 1853 He settled at East Taieri, and here they weie married in the year 1855, the- wedding being about the first, if not the very first, celebrated in Otago. In a year or two Mr and Mrs Christie came out to Puerua. and Mr Christie acquired land, and here they have resided ever since, * period of 50 years. Mrs Christie is survived by her husband and a family of 10. Mr Victor Booth, of Oamaru, vuio is now a sub-professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, has had the dignity of an a?sociateship conferred upon him. Mr Booth's career at the Academy has been a highlj successful one In connection with the Southland Biancb of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Seivants a ballot has been in progress during the * last fortnight throughout the whole of Southland. Over 360 votes were recorded, and the ballot resulted in Mr M. B Fcil being elected chairman by a majority of 68, i and Mr J- Forrester retaining the treasure* 1 ship, a position he has held for some time. — ! Southland Times. Mr Stanley Rice, who has been some 12 ' years with the National Mortgage and Agency Co. as accountant, in Melbourne, and as land sal&snian »nd in charge of the stock department in Invercargill, has (says the Southland Times) left that company to take up the- responsible position as manager of I. W. Rajmond and Co. (Ltd) Mr Raymond projects » long tour of Britain and thei East. The Napier Telegraph says that Mr R W. Noake, of the Waipawa- Pest Office, who has been transferred to St. Bathans, Otago, wa3 presented with a suitable gift by hia fellow officers, prior to his departure yester- j day. In the evening he was enteitained at a. smoke concert, when * pleasant hour was spent. On Wednesday, tha 19th inst , Mr P R. Sargood invited all the warehouse employees of Messis Sargood. Son, and Ewen to his private residence " Mannoto" to say farewell to Mr J. N Barclay. In the ccurse of the evening Mr Sargood proposed the health of Mr Berclay, who, he stated, was returning to his old love — New South Wales. He referred to Mr Barclay's capabilities, and also to the interest he had taker in the defence forces of New Zealand. He wished MiBarclay and his wife every prosperity in his new sphere. Mr Barclay briefly acknowledged the kindly sentiments*, ana thanked Mr and Mrs Sargood for the opportunity of saying farewell to his fellow-employees. The teachers and scholars of the Waitaki Girls' High School on Wednesday evening entertained Miss Ferguson (the lady principal), who is about to make an extended tour of Great Britain and Europe) with g, very pleasant social in the school buildings. During the evening Miss V. Greig (who assumes- charge of the school in the interim) presented to Miss Ferguson, on behalf of the ! staff and pupils, with a handsome silverbacked brush, comb, and hand-mirror as a, slight token of the esteem and ftffeotion jn ' which she is held by all associated with ncr in ihp- school Mips Feiguaon would see many schools while on her tia\els. but m none j would she find the bonds between, the lady I

principal and her school stronger than in the Waitaki Girls' High School. Mr Burton Boys, a Lansdowne (Wairarapa) colonist, died yesterday moinmg A Palinerston North message states tha-t Mr H. F. Gibbons, resident inspector of the Bank of New Zealand at Wellington, is resigning Ins position to become a partner in the firm of Baraud and Abraham, Palmeratcii North. The Bluff Guards on Wednesday, 19th inst , presented two of their number, Sergeant Dale . and Private Encson, on Wednesday evening ' with souvenirs on the occasion of their marriage. The lemains of James Spencer, who lost his life a<t the Bluff 111 a he-ioic attempt to save c lad from drowning, were followed to interment by a very large cortege, including the members of the local lodge of Oddfellows, many of his companions, and most of the leading citizens and public men ' A movement is on foot to erect on his grave ' a suitable public memorial of his bravery. A number of friends of Mrs G. If'lndoe ] met at the schoolhouee, Glenledi, on Mondlay, 17th, and presented her with tangible tokens of esteem prior to her departure for Milton. TJie presentation was made by Mr A. Jtekowski. Mr R. Gardyne replied on behalf of Mrs M'lndce, thanking the company for their gifts. I The death of Mr George Dalglie&h, one of the early settlers of Otagcr, occurred at Oamaru at an early hour on the 21st. Mr Dalglieah (sj,ys our correspondent) was bom at Cjraigmillar Castle, near Edinburgh, in 1826. He came to Otago in 1861 by the Lady Egidia, and after various experiences became a. partner in Invercargill of the fiimi now known as M'Callum and Co., to which he came to Oamaiu as manager in 1878. His letirement taking place 12 years later, he was a member of the Oamaru Borough Council for three years, and for a number of years was a keen bowler. He was predeceased by Mrs Dalgliesh in 1888, and leaves no family. | Mr Reginald Day, who hag been for the | last seven years secretary of the Southland I Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, has J been appointed to a responsible position in the service of the Australian Widows' Fund Life Assurance Society (Limited?. He leaves Invercargill to (says- the Times) take up his Dew work in Dunedui as soon as he caji be relieved of his duties with the Charitable Aid Board. Mr Day has been a very active woiker in many semi-public institutions. Hehas been lay reader in the Church of England, member of the Waihopai School Committee, the Farmers' Club, the Horticultural Society, and the Troopers' Memorial Executive. Mr H. L. Wiggins, of the head office, has taken \ip hi 3 position of officer in charge of the Government Valuation Department, vice Mr Clothier, transferred to Christchurch. Mr G-. B. Moss, formerly member for Ohiriemuri, will (says an Association message) contest the Parnell seat at the general election. Constable William Soufhgate, at present stationed at Blenheim, has been appointed to the charge of the Outrani station, in place of Constable Graham, deceased. Mr A. D. Wilkinson, M.A., of the teaching staff of the Mayfair School, Johannesburg, Tra.nsva(|l f is at present in Dunedin spending portion of his six months' furlough. Mr Wilkinsor i& an Otago High School and Univereity student, and is a eon of the late Mr Francis Wilkinson, of Roslytt. Oh the occasion oi -the depaiture from St

ButhKiis of Mr James Dixon. who had" been acting-postm<ister since the death of the late lespected postmistiess (Mis Noonel, a large gathering of friends met in the Ballaiat Hotel to nißke him a presentation in recognition of his extieme kindness and courtesy whilst in chaige of the office. The presentation, which took the form of « dressing ca«e, was mads by Mr Nicolson. who. on behalf of the resident", thanked Mr Dixcn and wished him every good luck in the future. Several other gentlemen also spoke in appropriate tcims, and the singing of " Auld lang pyne" bioug'.it a very pleasant evening to a close.

The Govemoi (Lord Plunket) inspected the Christchurch Technical College on Satmday, and oxpie^sed himself highly pleaded with the display of woik. He left foi Akaioa by the Tutanekai the same evening, and ou Sunday at mid-day for the Bluff. Tho Hoyal Exchange As<uuance Corporation's head office for New Zealand is to be removed to Wellington at an early date, owing to a reoiganisation of the business of the company in the Dominion. Mr F G. Ciay, who has been manager for Mr W. A. Walton for seveial years, has been promoted to the head office, and will leave Dunedm to take up his residence in Wellington as soon as airangements can be made. A Chnstchurch telegram "tates that Mir E. W RaynoT aged 82 years, who for over 30 years acted as postmaster and constable at the Chatham Islands, died on the steamer Ripp'e on Thursday, 20th, when the vessel was about 100 miles from the islands. The deceased gentlenvnn had. been suffering for pome time from cancer, and it is to this disease that, hi? death is attributed. H« boarded the Ripple at the Chatham.s on Wednesday, and died early on the following day. Dr Pomare, who was on the ship, was in attendance. As the vessel had only completed a small portion of her trip to Lyttelton, the body was lruried at sea on Thursday afternoon Ouf Waitahuna correspondent writes^ — Mr R M'Ara and family, who are leaving Wailahuna to take up their reeidence at Gisborne, were accorded a farewell social, which was confined to the members of the congiegation, and held in the Waitnhuua Presbyterian Church on Friday, 21st ii'st. Although the night was very wet, the attendance was large, evidencing the esteem in which the members of the family are held by their fellow-worshippeis- The Rev. J. S. Ponder presided, and during theof tl.e church, with a handsome gold albert I with locket attached, the locket bearing the i inscription • " Presented to Robert M'Ara by i the Waitahuna Presbyterian Ctmrch, • February 21, 1909." Mrs M'Ara was also, on behalf of the P W.M.U , of which body she was a very active member, holding also the position of treasurer, presented with a silver cake basket, and Miss Lilian M'Ara, who was at all times ready when a vacancy occurred to fill the position of organist, received a gold bar brooch as a slight recognition of her seivices. Eulogistic reference was made to the services rendered to the church by the family, but more especially to the work of Mr M'Ara, who has filled the position of secretary to the committee for the past 28 years, and superintendent of the Sabbath school for about eight years, besides rendering in other ways services too numerous to particularise. The choir, under the leadership of Mr J. H. Patrick, seng several anthems, and Miss R Patrick contribuetd a solo, which latter was much appreciated. The kd'es supplied an abundance of refreshments, and a very enjojable social, from one point , cf view, was brought to a close by the ' singing of the hymn " God be with you till -we meet 'again." Mr M'Ara and family leave Waitahuna carrying with them the best vi&hes of all their friends in the district, old and young, for their future foappinest in their new home. The Rev. A. C. W. Standage, M A., having accepted the call to the Mount Ida Presbyterian Church, his induction and ordination •will take place in the church at Naseby on Friday. March C, aj 3.45 p m. A presentation to Mr J. J. Ramsay fiom his friends in Central Otago is to be made et Naseby on Friday, 28th mst. Mr Hamsay is about to leave for the North Island. Mr G A. Turner obtained a " Bpecial mention " in psychology and ethics in the teacHers' examination class C. The Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay (Oamarui has been appointed administrator of the diocese during the absence of his Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin on a visit to Rome. Mr Jacob Marx, farmer, of Mangatoki, is announced as a candidate for the Egmont seat. It is understood (says an Association message) that he will stand in the Opposition interest. Five candidates aie now out, and it 19 possible that others may decide to contest the seat. Mr W. P. Frith. R A., the painter of those world-renowned pictures " The Derby i)ey and the " Railway Station,' entered his ninetieth year on January 9, when he wag received by the King at Buckingham Palace end honoured with the Commandership of the Royal Victorian Order. His Majesty is very familiar with Mr Friths work, for his picture of the wedding of the King and Queen, then Prince and Princess of Wales, hangs in the royal collection. King Edwara engaged Mr Frith in -earnest conversation, and congratulated him on his life's work and wonderful health. Then he handed the veteran Royal Academician the Insignia of the Victorian Order, and the audience was at an end.